Mark's experience teaching Chemistry in Norway

Mark is teaching chemistry using the English language in the first, second and third grade classes in Rjukan videregående skole.

During his first period as chemistry teacher, Mark has noted down the following;

- a small number of students who offer chemistry especially at second and third grades.
- Teachers and students are punctual to class. The students arrive on time for lessons and come the end of lesson, they will not allow you to go beyond . If you  persist they may leave you in class.
- teachers endeavour to as much as possible plan for a practical activity in the science lessons to engage learners in doing things.
- students are given short breaks of about five minutes at the end of each period so they can relax a bit or ease themselves.
- A teacher does the full preparation of practical lessons .There are no laboratory technicians to assist in any kind of work.
- safety of students while in the laboratory is strictly observed. For instance;
 learners put on laboratory coats and hand gloves to avoid contact of chemical with skin
and use of pipette fillers and not sucking of liquid by mouth into pipette.
- learners have freedom to express their views both inside and outside class.They are open- minded ,love their teachers whom they address by first names .
However, they still remain respectful to the teachers.
- Subject content is not so detailed and is rather simplified .For instance learners are encouraged to use simple formula instead of arguing from first principles when dealing with questions about the mole concept.